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Posts: 325
Location: Utica, NY | Who is your preferred, lowest cost shipper of choice when sending guitars around the lower 48? |
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December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | UPS
YMMV |
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December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Originally posted by alpep:
UPS Same here. I even created an account there.
For overseas I use the USPS. |
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November 2006
Posts: 3969
| I get the best shipping rate from my workplace to another business address. Residential shipping is a little more. You can create an online account and print your own label. Usually works out cheaper than the independent UPS Stores. Of course that presumes you already have the shipping materials (box, peanuts/bubble wrap, etc.). |
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March 2008
Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | It's kind of like strings. Everyone has their own preference. Some have horror stories. I have used both Fed-Ex and UPS. UPS is cheaper, but they have size restrictions. When I had to ship a cello, I had to use Fed-Ex. Other than that, I have never had a problem with UPS. How you pack an instrument is the most important thing. If it is in the case, loosen the strings, get a guitar box, and pack crumpled paper around it so that nothing moves. It is also VERY important to pack around the peghead. If a box is dropped, even though there is no visible damage to the box or case, you may get a snapped peghead.
If you are shipping without a case, you need a triangular guitar box packed inside a rectangular guitar box. Still loosen the strings, and pack around the peghead. |
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December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | This last Winter I had a Claim with all three...
USPS - Shipper packed it poorly but was unable to respond as needed - I lost a $200 claim.
UPS - Damaged instrument, Claim denied, no way to challenge the second time. About $200 lost.
FedEx - I filed on behalf of the Shipper but FedEx lost/scuttled the waiver to allow my process.
In all it was a weird 2 month period, mid and post Christmas rush and severe cold weather. I think all of the carriers were overworked and then faced with layoffs/reductions.
Other than that I have shipped or received over 20 instruments using all carriers.
I suggest for the first timer or infrequent shipper that you have the Shipping Store do your packaging and provide the insurance confirmation in case of damages. Avoid the Box stores that charge an additional fee and go directly to the FedEx or UPS shippers.
I can cut corners and ship a full sized Acoustic with case from WA to NJ for about $40.
If you have them do everything for you expect to pay about $75 but it will pay off if any issues arrise.
I have and still use my FedEx account. |
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August 2007
Posts: 494
Location: Location Location Location | UPS |
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December 2001
Posts: 7247
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | If you do a search using "UPS USPS FEDEX" as the keywords, you will garner all the info you need... and probably some you don't |
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December 2004
Posts: 4394
Location: East Tennessee | Ship by air.
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April 2009
Posts: 39
| USPS Express Mail. Overnight delivery for $120 or less, including insurance, is less than half the price of the alternatives. The less time any carrier has their hands on your shipment, the less opportunity they have to do something bad to it. Express isn't much more expensive than Priority Mail (perhaps $30-$40). For a $200 guitar, neither of these make much sense, but for anything valuable, you can't do better than Express Mail. I've used it perhaps 30-40 times and never had a problem. Another trick: have it shipped to a POB and they will hold it there (indoors, of course) for you to pick up at your convenience, usually earlier than it would have been delivered to your street address. This also saves it from bouncing around town on a delivery truck and exposure to excessively cold or hot weather.
And if you're concerned about damage or loss regardless of the value of the guitar, get yourself a Heritage instrument insurance policy. Instrument-specific coverage includes every conceivable kind of loss (except disappearance from an unlocked vehicle) and is, IMO, essential for anyone who has any sort of investment in a guitar collection. I still buy the insurance from USPS but know that I'm completely covered no matter what might happen. Knock on wood - nothing yet to report.
Disclaimer: I am not affiliated in any way with USPS or Heritage other than as a very satisfied paying customer. |
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September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Fed Ex -- They do residential delivery on Saturdays (but not on Monday).
Yes... Fed Ex still destroyed a guitar on me...
and No, they didn't honor my claim and said that it was my fault. |
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April 2009
Posts: 39
| Originally posted by Old Man Arthur:
Fed Ex -- They do residential delivery on Saturdays (but not on Monday). If your box is at a PO which is open on Saturday (most main branches and some larger satellites offices are), only Sundays are questionable. I've picked up many guitars on Saturdays which were shipped Friday via Express Mail. USPS says "Delivery to most destinations 365 days a year – even Sundays and holidays", but not having tried a residential delivery on Sunday, I don't know how well that might work. |
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June 2006
Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | I HATE shipping guitars. It's always a crap shoot no matter who you use. That's why I don't own a Santa Cruz now, the seller had two vintage Martins damaged in shipping last week (Fedex and UPS) and got cold feet. I just got one from Patch (USPS) that had a crack from the bridge to the bout. I have accounts with them all, but usually use Fedex, as I've had the best luck with them. Just sent Allison's 07 today, and am sweating until it gets there safe. I'm thinking it might be worth it to drive it there. |
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May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | I've used both the post office and ups. Both work for me. Then again that was only three guitars. |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Think of all the guitar shipping that go on from the factory and from music stores. They just can't have the same proportion of problems we seem to have here. Can they??
I hate shipping guitars as much as I hate pulling a boat on a trailer.
It just ain't natural. |
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November 2005
Posts: 4833
Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | Why pay someone else to do it? Do what AJ does, visit people and pick up guitars! |
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November 2005
Posts: 1126
Location: Omaha, NE | The Esteban World Tour guitar has been all over the place, in the same Esteban case, and the same (now thoroughly battered) Taylor shipping carton.
Mostly UPS, but a little USPS.
Still "as good as new". |
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March 2008
Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | I believe the way a guitar is packed is the problem. Packing peanuts, besides being NOT environmentally friendly, settle like cereal in the box. Crumpled up paper is the way my new Morgan Monroes come in, and I have only had one guitar come in damaged in three years. That was because they didn't pack around the peghead on that one.
Omaha, now THAT was funny! "Still good as new"! If someone dropped it off a ten story building without a case and without a box, it would be BETTER than new - then you wouldn't even have to break it up to use it as kindling! |
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December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Originally posted by Slipkid:
as much as I hate pulling a boat on a trailer.
I hate pulling 'em on also. That's why my trailer is set up to drive my boat on it!
Originally posted by Slipkid:
It just ain't natural. Practice, practice, ...
But like you, I don't look forward to shipping gits. Just sent Karen her '97C. Fingers, legs and eyes are crossed! |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | The human race will be out lived by the cockroaches and Estaban guitars.
What a horrible, horrible thought. |
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March 2002
Posts: 15680
Location: SoCal | Originally posted by Slipkid:
The human race will be out lived by the cockroaches and Estaban guitars.
What a horrible, horrible thought. Unless your a cockroach or own an Estaban guitar, or a cockroach who owns an Estaban guitar (probably the only ones who do own them).... |
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March 2008
Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | HEY!! What a great use for an Esteban! A roach motel! Probably don't even need to put any poison in them. The outgassing from the pressed board will do the trick. |
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March 2002
Posts: 15680
Location: SoCal | Now you're being mean to cockroaches everywhere... |
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November 2005
Posts: 35
| I always used UPS for guitars. They always seem to get the job done right and cheap. |
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September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Originally posted by Slipkid:
Think of all the guitar shipping that go on from the factory and from music stores. They just can't have the same proportion of problems we seem to have here. Can they?? The Factory fills-up whole trucks with their orders.
They are Extremely Valuable Customers.
If the shipping company does break one of their guitars, they will make it right IMMEDIATELY!
Now, all of us are just little piss-ant customers.
Even if you have shipped a hundred guitars... You still don't rate.
Weigh one guitar a month (or two a week) against a Trailer-load a week, or a truck-load a day.
You ain't worth the effort.
They think that they are doing you a favor by allowing you to ship with them.
And if they break something, you don't have a lawyer and they have Many! And lotsa time, too.
[Ah... Excuse me, that was alittle cynical, huh?] |
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March 2005
Posts: 5567
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | USPS Priority: (0ver 50 guitars shipped-never a problem), they are the least expensive, anywhere in the CONUS or Hawaii in 2-3 days...What more could you want...
Notice this is PRIORITY MAIL... ;) :D
NOT PARCEL POST!!!!!!! :eek: :mad: |
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June 2006
Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | Priority mail is the reason I don't own a beautiful pearl white 1758 now.... and I mean this thing got hammered. It can happen no matter how you ship it. |
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May 2009
Posts: 325
Location: Utica, NY | Originally posted by MusicMishka:
USPS Priority: (0ver 50 guitars shipped-never a problem), they are the least expensive, anywhere in the CONUS or Hawaii in 2-3 days...What more could you want... Really! I will say that this one surprised me the most. I know that across the board, no matter what the item, folks will have had problems with all major shippers. I have as well. My major aversion to the USPS is bother their useless 'tracking' system and their equally (IMHO) useless 'insurance' as I have had major issues with both.
However, your experience intrigues me and I naturally assumed that they would be the MOST expensive. Perhaps I need to revisit this way of thinking. I will get a price there tomorrow.
I learned a little something about the PayPal complaint/refund procedure today that I didn't know either. I'll share if there's interest.
Thanks to all who replied. |
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May 2009
Posts: 325
Location: Utica, NY | Originally posted by MusicMishka:
USPS Priority: (0ver 50 guitars shipped-never a problem), they are the least expensive, anywhere in the CONUS or Hawaii in 2-3 days...What more could you want... Really! I will say that this one surprised me the most. I know that across the board, no matter what the item, folks will have had problems with all major shippers. I have as well. My major aversion to the USPS is bother their useless 'tracking' system and their equally (IMHO) useless 'insurance' as I have had major issues with both.
However, your experience intrigues me and I naturally assumed that they would be the MOST expensive. Perhaps I need to revisit this way of thinking. I will get a price there tomorrow.
I learned a little something about the PayPal complaint/refund procedure today that I didn't know either. I'll share if there's interest.
Thanks to all who replied. |
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February 2007
Posts: 57
Location: North Oregon Coast | I've only shipped one guitar in my life and because I had no shipping materials, I took it to a UPS store 30 miles away and had them do everything. Needless to say, it cost me a small fortune, over $75 as I recall! I was going to try my local Post Office but they had a bunch of size restrictions and they encouraged me to take it elsewhere. I do have a UPS account now so I can arrange to have it picked up at my door, but there's still the problem of aquiring boxes the right size, any suggestions? Shipping a guitar for $40 seems awfully cheap to me, maybe that's just another thing you have to live with when you live in a small town a hundred miles away from anywhere. |
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December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Originally posted by nervous:
I'll share if there's interest. Absolutely! Recently I almost had to use the PP complaint/refund procedure. Once I 'threatened', the issue was resolved by the seller. Haven't had to use it yet... |
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October 2005
Posts: 5332
Location: Bluffton, SC | Hey nervous! Another Upstater! It might be late but Welcome Aboard!
I spent a year in Utica one day... |
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March 2005
Posts: 5567
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | My major aversion to the USPS is bother their useless 'tracking' system and their equally (IMHO) useless 'insurance' as I have had major issues with both.
Yes, it is useless, and yes, the insurance is not much better (although I did finally collect fot the destruction of the Tak)...but I have to stand by what my experience has been...I have had horror stories from everyone including parcel post (i.e. the Tak), UPS, FedEx, etc. but so far, (fingers crossed) priority has been OK...
Jim, I am sorry to open that wound...what a drag...sorry...So, Yes, anything is possible with any of them... |
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May 2009
Posts: 325
Location: Utica, NY | Originally posted by Weaser P:
I spent a year in Utica one day... Aww.....C'MON!
All I know is don't let the folks in Massena or Plattsburgh callin' Utica "Upstate". I was roundly corrected once that we are indeed Central New Yorkers. From that day forward I have never been an upstater.
Ovation content: Todd Hobin played an Ovation..... |
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October 2006
Posts: 5575
Location: big island | USPS Express or Priority has not failed me for shipping and receiving 40 + guitars in the past 9 years. |
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April 2009
Posts: 39
| Originally posted by Slipkid:
The human race will be out lived by the cockroaches and Estaban guitars.
What a horrible, horrible thought. Yeah. I heard the cockroaches have better tone and are more playable. |
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April 2009
Posts: 39
| Originally posted by nervous:
My major aversion to the USPS is bother their useless 'tracking' system and their equally (IMHO) useless 'insurance' as I have had major issues with both. Express Mail has tracking which is the equivalent of any carrier. And none of the carriers' "insurance" is really worth a damn when you need it most, hence the need for real musical instrument insurance from a company like Heritage. |
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March 2005
Posts: 5567
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Originally posted by Slipkid:
The human race will be out lived by the cockroaches and Estaban guitars.
What a horrible, horrible thought.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah. I heard the cockroaches have better tone and are more playable Less filling too....... :D ;) :eek: |
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June 2007
Posts: 3084
Location: Brisbane Australia | I have always used USPS for shipping to Oz without any problems.
It was ok when I could ship a guitar for $80-$100.
Now its $350-$400 :rolleyes:
AJ |
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June 2007
Posts: 3084
Location: Brisbane Australia | Currently I can get a direct return flight from Brisbane to LA for $850USD and I can bring home two guitars without a fuss.
If Deb comes with me I can bring four.
Go Figure!!
Looks like it's Disneyland in September. :)
AJ |
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April 2008
Posts: 2985
Location: Sydney, Australia | I'd say "Bring back one for me", but if I remember correctly you still have more than four over there. |
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February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | I think he's shooting for one in each state so he has an excuse for a Grand Tour. |
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December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | "Looks like it's Disneyland in September."
Let me know where to send your stuff AJ!
I've got the T-Bolt and a Promise for ya... |
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December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Just to get a bit back on track (I know, very unlike me), I was checking on shipping prices for a gig bag. Well after running the UPS calculator for a 2# small box, the summary had an extra $2.50 for residential and $2.50 for a rural delivery.
I'll be shipping via the USPS on this one, about $5 cheaper.
I must say on larger packages, i.e. guitar, UPS usually beats the USPS. |
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March 2005
Posts: 4
Location: Ohio | I like USPS Express Mail. |
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June 2006
Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | USPS max "insurance" (for what that's worth) is 500.00. |
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December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | jim
it depends on which country the guitar is being sent to
the usps regulations are so complex they are just stupid |
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Joined:
April 2009
Posts: 39
| Originally posted by Trader Jim:
USPS max "insurance" (for what that's worth) is 500.00. Not true. From USPS:
Purchase Insurance at any Post Office
• Provides up to $5,000 indemnity coverage for a lost or damaged item.
• For items of greater value requiring additional insurance, try Registered Mail™, which covers up to $25,000. Registered Mail can be used with First-Class Mail® and Priority Mail®.
I have successfully insured guitars sent via Express Mail for up to $5000 at the PO, dealing directly with the clerks (including the head guy) without so much as a single word of objection. I seem to remember that their on-line shipping system similarly allows thousands of dollars of insurance to be purchased and placed on Express Mail items, but that may not be a correct recollection since the $500 limit seems to apply to insurance purchased on line. For Express Mail, I've always shipped from the PO and not printed labels and postage on line. |
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May 2006
Posts: 4236
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | I think the $500 limit applies to Priority Mail. I haven't been able to insure a higher value either at the PO or online. |
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April 2009
Posts: 39
| Again, from usps.com:
Insurance purchased online is limited to $500, whereas insurance purchased at any Post Office facility is available in amounts up to $5,000.
If you need to insure a package for more than $500, you will need to visit your local Post Office.
Priority Mail®
o Insurance may be combined with Delivery ConfirmationTM, Parcel Airlift Service (PAL), Signature ConfirmationTM, or Special Handling
o Available for merchandise only (i.e. you can not insure correspondence)
Express Mail service insurance provides coverage up to $5000 for Express items lost, rifled, or damaged in the custody of the United States Postal Service®.
Note: Use of Waiver of Signature will void insurance indemnity (I did not know this.) |
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Guitar Shipping